Goals
As a student-led group dedicated to promoting the use of biofuels at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Biodiesel@MIT has the following goals for 2010:
Refine our process: Now that our biodiesel meets ASTM standards, we are certified for the next year. This summer, we are working on refining our processing by optimizing the amount of catalyst, potassium hydroxide, used in our process. This will be achieved through processing smaller-scale batches of biodiesel. Thanks to professor Bill Green for providing fume hood space, EHS for purchasing our first Erlenmeyer flasks, and Bob from EHS for donating 3 graduated cylinders! Additionally, we will be attemping methanol recovery on the glycerol, currently a hazardous waste product from the process, to increase our efficiency, cut our costs, and increase the sustainability of the project.
Work with the local community to produce biodiesel regularly: In addition to recieving WVO from MIT's student center, Biodiesel@MIT is looking to collect oil from local residents and businesses with the help of Roxbury Green Power. If you are interested in donating oil, please contact us at biodiesel-info@mit.edu.
Provide accurate information about biodiesel usage on campus: Biodiesel@MIT aims to establish itself as a leading resource for others interested in using UVO to produce biodiesel, especially for college campuses. Promotion will be targeted at the MIT, Cambridge, and Boston communities, but the development of a useful online web resource will also help to achieve this goal.
Develop research opportunities for MIT community members: To ensure the sustainability of this project, Biodiesel@MIT will determine key research areas of interest which can be investigated by community members. Using the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) and other educational options, Biodiesel@MIT will recruit researchers from the MIT community to conduct appropriate research.
The goals for Biodiesel@MIT are updated as they are achieved and reviewed at the start of the fall and spring terms.
